Remind yourself of Act III Scene 1, Consider the dramatic significance of this episode and what it tells audience about eighteenth century views of marriage

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Gemma Schuck                AS English Literature

The School For Scandal – Assignment One

Remind yourself of Act III Scene 1, from line 167, where Lady Teazle enters, to the end of the scene. Consider the dramatic significance of this episode in the play and what it tells the audience about eighteenth century views of marriage.

Within this scene Sheridan further develops his characters with particular focus on Sir Peter Teazle who is largely exposed in his role as companion to Rowley and Sir Oliver, guardian to Charles, Joseph and Maria and also as husband to Lady Teazle. His stubbornness is revealed throughout, demonstrated by his ill-feelings for Charles, officious behaviour toward Maria and culminates with his inability to control his temper when bickering with his wife. And yet, in spite of such an unfavourable conduct, it is difficult for the audience to harbour any real resentment for the ‘old dangling bachelor’. He might lose the ongoing verbal battles with Lady Teazle, but succeeds in gaining a degree of sympathy as we are privy to yet another of his sentimental asides concerning, but in the absence of his wife, ‘How happy I should be if could tease her into loving me, though but a little’.

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Despite commencing as a reconciliatory and almost nostalgic exchange ‘Yes, yes you were as kind and attentive - ’ ‘..so I was, I would always take your part when my acquaintance used to abuse you..’, its rapid descent into yet another passionate quarrel between Sir Peter and Lady Teazle comes as no great surprise to the audience. Sir Peter has already divulged the details of his marital difficulties in his earlier soliloquy where he remarks ‘When an old bachelor marries a young wife, what is he to expect? Lady Teazle made me the happiest of men – and I ...

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